Seven Benefits of Seeking God (Part 2)

“Where are the Christmas boxes?”

Once Thanksgiving was over I was determined to put some of the holiday decorations up, but they were in vats in the back of the attic. In order to get to them, I had to move countless other boxes out.

It would require all the muscle I had, so I rolled up my sleeves and made my way to those red and green containers.

Heave ho! Once out, the search began.

Where is my favorite angel?

Where is that quirky Christmas decoration I like?

What about the Christmas trees for the fireplace?

One-by-one, I found my treasures and placed them in their new home. Once in place, I realized it was worth all the physical labor it took.

In a similar way, when we seek God, it’s also worth the time and the effort. Think of a time you sought for one of your lost treasures and found it. How did it feel? We can capture the same feeling when we discover God’s riches. Matthew 13:44 says, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”

So are you ready to find out more about what we find when we seek God? Today we conclude our two part series with four more benefits of our search for the Almighty.

4. Strength. Do you ever feel weak? Are you in the midst of a battle that is attempting to take you down? Then seek God for the booster shot you need to survive.” Psalm 105:4 says, “Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.” Be a proactive seeker. It’s important to seek God in the good times and the bad so you bolster up your strength for when the difficulties come. When the Apostle Paul shared about the “thorn in the flesh” he repeatedly asked God to remove, the Lord’s answer was: “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” God is your power source.

5. Peace. Have you ever met someone who exudes a sense of peace? They are calm despite the fires burning around them? They have probably sought peace and found it. Psalm 34:14 encourages us to “seek peace and pursue it.” Isaiah 9:6 described Jesus as the “Prince of Peace.” I think of the wise men that sought after the Christ child for two years before they found him. What if it took that long to find Jesus now? What if we had to search for two years? Fortunately, when we are believers, Jesus is in our midst and peace is a prayer away. Psalm 29:11 promises “The Lord blesses his people with peace.”

6. Reward. While the source of our seeking should be a desire to be closer to God, there is a fringe benefit. God says he will reward those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Do you struggle with your sinful past? Do you think you don’t deserve any perks from a relationship with God? That is what the enemy of your soul would have you believe. But the Lord is elated when you seek him and has a gift waiting for you. You don’t want to get to Heaven and find a room full of unopened presents because you never took the time to seek God. It’s time to open an early Christmas gift. Seek him today.

7. Love and Acceptance. Have you been rejected by people over the years? Despite a happy façade, do you feel lonely because of superficial relationships? God will never fail you. He is the real deal. When we seek his face, he is waiting with open arms and delights in our conversation with him. Jesus said in John 6:37, “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” That is a great promise. Can you imagine never worrying about betrayal? You can tell God anything without fear of judgment? God promises in Deuteronomy 31 that he will never leave us nor forsake us. Psalm 27:10 says, “Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.” God’s love for us is higher, is wider and deeper than we could ever fathom, but we’ll never experience the love he has for us unless we seek him first. When we send our search party out for God, it is counterintuitive. We are the ones rescued when we find him. Won’t you seek him today?